Push Bikes - campaigninghttp://pushbikes.org.uk/tags/campaigning-0
enCycle Campaigning in the Coronavirus Erahttp://pushbikes.org.uk/blog/cycle-campaigning-coronavirus-era
<div class="field field-name-field-content-image field-type-image field-label-hidden view-mode-rss"><div class="field-items"><figure class="clearfix field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" class="image-style-medium-large" src="http://pushbikes.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium_large/public/coronavirus-5007852_960_720.jpg?itok=tecqqiVV" width="360" height="270" alt="Random guy on a bike wearing a mask" title="Random Guy on a Bike Wearing a Mask" /></figure></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden view-mode-rss"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Just over a year ago the Bike West Midlands Network Steering Group representing cycle campaign groups across the Region met and produced <a href="http://www.pushbikes.org.uk/blog/bike-west-midlands-network-what-it-and-what-should-it-do-next">this report</a> for this website. The report covers the positive developments in transport policy and cycling infrastructure locally since 2013 and asks what our "level of ambition" should be to build for the future of cycling and active travel. We noted the positive collaboration at national levels between cycling organisations, Living Streets, 20 is Plenty, Friends of the Earth and Mums for Lungs. Developments in London around Low Traffic Neighbourhoods have caught on and spread to Greater Manchester with the Beelines Networks and a concern for Safer Schools and legal air quality means that cycle campaigning must be now part of a much wider movement at Ward, City and Regional levels. Our campaigning hashtag on Twitter has moved from #Space4Cycling to #walkcycleplay or #walkcycleplayvote !</p>
<p>&#13;</p>
<p>Our agenda for 2020 included preparing for a mayoral election in May, our presentation on #walkcycleplay to the excellent Birmingham Community Cycling Clubs (supported by Cycling UK, The Active Well Being Society and Big Birmingham Bikes), the introduction of a Clean Air Zone in central Birmingham, consultations on an ambitious new Birmingham Transport Plan, the publication of a <a href="https://www.sustrans.org.uk/bike-life/bike-life-west-midlands/" target="_blank">West Midlands Bike Life Report</a> by Sustrans showing a pleasing level of public support for investment in cycling infrastructure. Meanwhile WMCA and member authorities have produced and consulted on a series of Local Walking and Cycling Investment Plans which just need funding! <a href="https://adamtranter.com" target="_blank">Adam Tranter</a> became Coventry's Cycling Mayor bringing new ideas, contacts and very professional media expertise to the task.</p>
<p>&#13;</p>
<p>Then to some extent coronavirus lock-down stopped us in our tracks. The forthcoming mayoral election was postponed for 12 months, our usual diet of consultative meetings become virtual if at all as local authority staff worked from home or were diverted into necessary responses to the health crisis. In the longer term an economic depression is seen as inevitable and it is not yet clear how far investment in infrastructure to support active travel will be part of any post-Corona Green New Deal.</p>
<p>&#13;</p>
<p>So what is to be done?</p>
<p>&#13;</p>
<p>Well all is not lost. The postponement of the mayoral election will give the incumbent Andy Street time to deliver a bit more on his promises to cycling; three years was a short term of office anyway. We local campaigners were ill prepared for a 2020 election unlike in 2017. The national organisations Cycling UK, Sustrans, Living Streets, London Cycling Campaign (possibly joined by British Cycling) had no equivalent or update to the now unsupported Space4Cycling campaign with six simple "asks" to be made of mayoral or councillor candidates. We hadn't time or the energy to organise another Big Bike Picnic hustings and weren't getting the training, branded material etc from Cycling UK that had been so useful in 2016-7. They have concentrated on national lobbying and taken some time to consult on updating their legacy Right to Ride Network and we await developments.</p>
<p>&#13;</p>
<p>Meanwhile we are very excited about London Cycling Campaign's excellent and ambitious report <a href="https://lcc.org.uk/articles/climate-safe-streets-report-launch" target="_blank">Climate Safe Streets</a> recently launched and supported by a good webinar. Led consistently for some years by Ashok Sinha, this charity has led the way with <a href="https://lcc.org.uk/pages/go-dutch" target="_blank">Love London Go Dutch</a> and the original <a href="https://lcc.org.uk/pages/space-for-cycling" target="_blank">Space4Cycling</a> campaign which went national with Cycling UK support. Now Climate Safe Streets is a well researched programme that absolutely meets the requirements of our time. I commend it to you whole heartedly. We know that London is much better funded and has more regional autonomy than the West Midlands, but the scope, urgency and detailed programming of this report exhibits the Level of Ambition to which we must aspire. Similarly the Greater Manchester Combined Authority has taken off with an approach known as <a href="https://tfgm.com/press-release/beelines" target="_blank">Beelines</a>.</p>
<p>&#13;</p>
<p>Locally, Push Bikes is now collaborating with the Birmingham Living Streets Group and seeking wider alliances with advocates wanting their own Low Traffic Neighbourhood. <a href="https://www.cyclingworksbirmingham.co.uk" target="_blank">Cycling Works for Birmingham</a> (a group of local employers campaigning for better safer commuting routes for their staff) is poised to build on the current campaigns to help key workers cycle in as public transport is limited by social distancing requirements. Push Bikes has also sent in well argued responses to all the current consultations on plans for Digbeth, the city centre and the Walking and Cycling map put out by Transport for West Midlands. In the background we are working up a proposal for a Charitable Incorporated Organisation to underpin a wider range of educational, advocacy and consultative work for the future modelled in part on <a href="https://walkridegm.org.uk" target="_blank">WalkRideGM</a>.</p>
<p>&#13;</p>
<p>Connectivity has to some extent been improved by Zoom (surely the app of the moment) and other vehicles for virtual meetings. Brian Deegan cycle planning guru has organised virtual Ideas and Beers (optional most of us were on tea) Zoom seminars on Tuesday evenings. One key focus is to persuade Local Authorities to take advantage of the decline in motor traffic to at least on a temporary basis allocated road and pavement space to social distancing pedestrians and cyclists. Nearly everyone is experiencing and appreciating the cleaner air and quieter streets. Push Bikes committee has moved to Zoom committee meetings which seem be to working well and enable us to carry on and make good use of the lock-down interregnum.</p>
<p>&#13;</p>
<p>Please get in touch if you are interested in what Push Bikes and BWM Network are doing - we need more ideas from a much wider range of citizens whether you cycle, walk, use a mobility scooter, take children to school or just want to breathe cleaner air and see road space allocated more equitably to active travel, playing out and of course public transport. DM me at @BWMNetwork on Twitter.</p>
<p>&#13;</p>
</div></div></div><section class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix view-mode-rss"><h2 class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</h2><ul class="field-items"><li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/campaigning-0" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">campaigning</a></li><li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/covid-19" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">covid-19</a></li></ul></section>Thu, 30 Apr 2020 18:57:15 +0000David584 at http://pushbikes.org.ukhttp://pushbikes.org.uk/blog/cycle-campaigning-coronavirus-era#commentsCampaign Meetinghttp://pushbikes.org.uk/event/campaign-meeting
<div class="field field-name-field-content-image field-type-image field-label-hidden view-mode-rss"><div class="field-items"><figure class="clearfix field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" class="image-style-medium-large" src="http://pushbikes.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium_large/public/IMG_2333.jpg?itok=s1uu_Kpp" width="360" height="480" alt="This photo shows the setup of the board that we used to ask people&#039;s opinions about the photo of the two types of cycle infrastructure." title="This photo shows the setup of the board that we used to ask people&#039;s opinions about the photo of the two types of cycle infrastructure." /></figure></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-event-date field-type-datetime field-label-hidden view-mode-rss"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">Thursday, July 2, 2020 - <span class="date-display-range"><span class="date-display-start" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2020-07-02T19:00:00+01:00">19:00</span> to <span class="date-display-end" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2020-07-02T21:00:00+01:00">21:00</span></span></span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden view-mode-rss"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><strong>In view of the need to avoid unnecessary contact during the COVID-19 pandemic, Push Bikes meetings are likely cancelled until this date, with meetings organised as necessary via Skype (please contact us if you have something you would like to raise).</strong></p>
<p><strong></strong></p>
<p>Ordinarily we meet to discuss our campaign work and form strategy on the first Thursday of every month.&nbsp;&nbsp; Normally meetings are held in the café area at the Midlands Arts Centre in Edgbaston, just off National Cycle Route 5.</p>
<p>We meet to discuss our campaign work and form strategy on the first Thursday of every month.&nbsp;&nbsp; Normally meetings are held in the café area at the Midlands Arts Centre in Edgbaston, just off National Cycle Route 5.</p>
<p>Although the meetings have a formal agenda and minutes, they are friendly and relaxed.&nbsp;&nbsp; They are open to all, but it would be helpful if you could contact us before-hand, especially if you would like to raise an issue.</p>
<p>Afterwards there is usually an opportunity to socialise.</p>
<p><em>Sheffield stands are available just outside the building, front and back, for cycle parking.</em></p>
</div></div></div><section class="field field-name-field-event-type field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix view-mode-rss"><h2 class="field-label">Event type:&nbsp;</h2><ul class="field-items"><li class="field-item even"><a href="/event-type/meeting" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Meeting</a></li></ul></section><section class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix view-mode-rss"><h2 class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</h2><ul class="field-items"><li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/campaigning-0" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">campaigning</a></li><li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/strategy" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">strategy</a></li></ul></section>Tue, 17 Mar 2020 09:58:55 +0000Robert580 at http://pushbikes.org.ukhttp://pushbikes.org.uk/event/campaign-meeting#commentsSainsburys Bike Stands Sortedhttp://pushbikes.org.uk/content/sainsburys-bike-stands-sorted
<div class="field field-name-field-content-image field-type-image field-label-hidden view-mode-rss"><div class="field-items"><figure class="clearfix field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" class="image-style-medium-large" src="http://pushbikes.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium_large/public/SainsburysBikeStands.jpg?itok=kcikBPZ1" width="360" height="289" alt="Sainsburys bike stands sorted" title="Sainsburys Bike Stands Sorted" /></figure></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden view-mode-rss"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>The cycle stands at the new Sainsbury's in Selly Oak are in an excellent location, but were located too close to the wall, which meant cycles could only be locked up with the back wheel at the curved end of the stand. This meant there was nothing to support the bike whilst strapping on panniers loaded with heavy shopping, so bikes would often very suddenly <a href="https://twitter.com/kimble4/status/1074709588493123584" target="_blank">twist and slide down the stand</a>. Once in that position, it could be very difficult to right the bike. Following complaints to Sainsbury's by Push Bikes members, the stands have been moved away from the wall, much to the delight of the two people in the photo, Pete and Helen, who were unaware of the back-story until I randomly met them discussing the new arrangement. Thanks to Pete for the loan of his phone to take the photo, and for emailing the photos we took to Push Bikes.</p>
<p>Of the <a href="http://www.pushbikes.org.uk/blog/smelly-oak-city-future">many problems</a> with this new but American-style car-centric retail park, the poor access to the shops from the road for people walking and cycling have been circumvented for some by the opening of access from the canal tow path. There are in fact two access points. One is via the under-croft car park (past cycle stands that are strangely as distant from any shop entrance as it's possible to get). This is handy for people with folding bikes, who can ride straight up to the outside lift door. The repositioned cycle stands are more conveniently accessed via a path that runs from the canal bridge, though the compacted sand chosen to create this path defies comprehension; it's already wearing away. The access to the canal also creates a link between the tow path and the A38 cycle route, though the section between Sainsbury's and the <a href="http://www.pushbikes.org.uk/content/a34-and-a38-cycleways-open">new, blue A38 cycleway</a> is poor.</p>
</div></div></div><section class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix view-mode-rss"><h2 class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</h2><ul class="field-items"><li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/campaigning-0" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">campaigning</a></li><li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/good-practice" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">good practice</a></li><li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/cycle-parking" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">cycle parking</a></li></ul></section>Sun, 26 Jan 2020 16:51:01 +0000Robert569 at http://pushbikes.org.ukhttp://pushbikes.org.uk/content/sainsburys-bike-stands-sorted#commentsStand Up for Cycling and Walkinghttp://pushbikes.org.uk/content/stand-cycling-and-walking
<div class="field field-name-field-content-image field-type-image field-label-hidden view-mode-rss"><div class="field-items"><figure class="clearfix field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" class="image-style-medium-large" src="http://pushbikes.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium_large/public/SamJones_Guildford_2015_Polling_Station.jpg?itok=26KvIsAH" width="360" height="240" /></figure></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden view-mode-rss"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Cycling UK, to which Push Bikes is affiliated, has organised a campaign to ask your candidates in the upcoming general election to support cycling and walking with realistic funding. Please <a href="https://action.cyclinguk.org/page/50940/action/1">follow this link</a> to find out if your candidates have already pledged to do this, and to send an email to those that haven't.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
</div></div></div><section class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix view-mode-rss"><h2 class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</h2><ul class="field-items"><li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/cyclinguk" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">cyclinguk</a></li><li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/campaigning-0" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">campaigning</a></li></ul></section>Wed, 04 Dec 2019 08:54:48 +0000Robert565 at http://pushbikes.org.ukhttp://pushbikes.org.uk/content/stand-cycling-and-walking#commentsCampaign Meetinghttp://pushbikes.org.uk/event/campaign-meeting-0
<div class="field field-name-field-content-image field-type-image field-label-hidden view-mode-rss"><div class="field-items"><figure class="clearfix field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" class="image-style-medium-large" src="http://pushbikes.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium_large/public/IMG_7145.JPG?itok=k97jPz15" width="360" height="270" alt="Normally Closed Network 5" title="Normally Closed Network 5" /></figure></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-event-date field-type-datetime field-label-hidden view-mode-rss"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">Tuesday, April 11, 2017 - <span class="date-display-range"><span class="date-display-start" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2017-04-11T19:00:00+01:00">19:00</span> to <span class="date-display-end" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2017-04-11T21:00:00+01:00">21:00</span></span></span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden view-mode-rss"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>We meet to discuss our campaign work and form strategy.</p>
<p>Although the meeting will have a formal agenda and minutes, it will be friendly and relaxed.&nbsp;&nbsp; Please note that this month's meeting is by <a href="http://www.pushbikes.org.uk/contact">invitation</a> only.</p>
</div></div></div><section class="field field-name-field-event-type field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix view-mode-rss"><h2 class="field-label">Event type:&nbsp;</h2><ul class="field-items"><li class="field-item even"><a href="/event-type/meeting" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Meeting</a></li></ul></section><section class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix view-mode-rss"><h2 class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</h2><ul class="field-items"><li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/campaigning-0" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">campaigning</a></li></ul></section>Wed, 22 Mar 2017 15:37:14 +0000Robert466 at http://pushbikes.org.ukhttp://pushbikes.org.uk/event/campaign-meeting-0#commentsColmore Schools Summer Fairhttp://pushbikes.org.uk/event/colmore-schools-summer-fair
<div class="field field-name-field-content-image field-type-image field-label-hidden view-mode-rss"><div class="field-items"><figure class="clearfix field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" class="image-style-medium-large" src="http://pushbikes.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium_large/public/colmore.jpg?itok=C60nwneT" width="360" height="232" /></figure></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-event-date field-type-datetime field-label-hidden view-mode-rss"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">Friday, June 24, 2016 - <span class="date-display-range"><span class="date-display-start" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2016-06-24T15:30:00+01:00">15:30</span> to <span class="date-display-end" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2016-06-24T17:30:00+01:00">17:30</span></span></span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden view-mode-rss"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>In addition to the usual fare it is planned to have a cycling area, and Push Bikes will be there.</p>
<p>Colmore Junior and Infant schools are <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@52.4281041,-1.9004896,18.5z?hl=en">located</a> on the corner of Howard Road and Colmore Road in Kings Heath.</p>
</div></div></div><section class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix view-mode-rss"><h2 class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</h2><ul class="field-items"><li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/campaigning-0" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">campaigning</a></li></ul></section>Wed, 15 Jun 2016 07:10:18 +0000Robert419 at http://pushbikes.org.ukhttp://pushbikes.org.uk/event/colmore-schools-summer-fair#commentsBike West Midlands Networkhttp://pushbikes.org.uk/blog/bike-west-midlands-network
<div class="field field-name-field-content-image field-type-image field-label-hidden view-mode-rss"><div class="field-items"><figure class="clearfix field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" class="image-style-medium-large" src="http://pushbikes.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium_large/public/bwmn.jpg?itok=vRpAgjqn" width="360" height="209" /></figure></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden view-mode-rss"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><h2>What is it?</h2>
<p>&#13;</p>
<p>The origins of the Bike West Midlands Network lie in an exchange on the excellent Birmingham Cyclist Website; see the Archive below! The idea was to provide some mutual support between cycling campaigns and individual campaigners across the whole West Midlands area. At present BWM Network consists of an email list of around 100 addresses of campaign groups and interested cycling campaigners as well as politicians, professionals and officers engaging with cycling issues. There is also a Twitter account <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/BWMnetwork">@BWMNetwork</a>.</p>
<p>&#13;</p>
<p>Currently, David Cox (Chair of National Council at CTC and Vice-Chair of Pushbikes in Birmingham) uses these media just to circulate information that might be of interest. In early 2013 Centro the public transport authority with its Sustainable Travel section began work on a Centro Cycling Charter and the BWM list was partly set up to enable Centro to consult with campaign groups across the Region. The Charter has finally come to fruition with an Implementation Plan published in the Autumn of 2015 but as yet there are no guarantees of funding.</p>
<p>&#13;</p>
<p>Generally what little money that there is available to support cycling is managed by individual local authorities often bidding in a time of "austerity" for special grants from the Department for Transport. Local campaigns lobby and consult on various local issues and initiatives. Since 2013 Birmingham has secured c£60 million from central Government to support the Birmingham Cycle Revolution and Push Bikes has been fully engaged in consultations about the implementation of this grant. Other local authorities have had far less to spend, but there have been discussions about, amongst other things, an Active Travel Strategy in Wolverhampton, station parking, and some specific junction proposals in Coventry. Centro managed a combined bid under an earlier Local Sustainable Transport Fund and various cycling improvements to station parking, some work around sustainable travel corridors and high streets were commissioned from this. There are active Cycling Campaigns in Solihull and in Worcestershire and individual campaigners across the Region. At least one local community is beginning to push for what might be called a "mini-Holland" to enhance their neighbourhood with safer walking and cycling especially for children and families.</p>
<p>&#13;</p>
<h2>Who's behind it?</h2>
<p>&#13;</p>
<ul>
<li><a target="_blank" href="http://www.coventrycyclist.org.uk">Coventry Cycling Campaign</a></li>
<p>&#13;</p>
<li><a target="_blank" href="http://www.pushbikes.org.uk">Push Bikes</a> (Birmingham)</li>
<p>&#13;</p>
<li><a target="_blank" href="http://www.pushbikecampaign.org">Push Bike!</a> (Worcester, Wychavon, Malvern Hills and Bromsgrove)</li>
<p>&#13;</p>
<li><a target="_blank" href="https://solihullbicyclecampa.wixsite.com/home">Solihull Bicycle Campaign</a></li>
<p>&#13;</p>
<li><a target="_blank" href="https://wolvesonwheels.org.uk/">Wolves on Wheels</a></li>
<p>&#13;
</p></ul>
<h2>Why is it important now?</h2>
<p>&#13;</p>
<p>Since 2015 the UK Government’s new proposals for regional devolution (the Northern Powerhouse or the Midlands Engine!) have begun to take shape and hold out the possibility of being able to campaign for cycling and active travel at that level. A new strategic Integrated Transport Authority (ITA) is taking on the Cycling Charter from Centro with an avowed commitment to a Strategic Network of Cycle Routes and a mention of applying Dutch and Danish expertise to their development. Proposals are being discussed for a West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) with devolved powers including transport, planning and economic growth. Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) bring local business interests into play in shaping local and regional priorities.</p>
<p>&#13;</p>
<p>Notable and welcome within these steps towards regional devolution have been the incorporation of Cycling and Walking as prioritized modes of travel, initially in a Birmingham Connected visioning document and now in Connected for Growth issued by the ITA. Sustainable travel and Active Travel are on the agenda because it is now recognized that economic development that brings further growth in car and motor vehicle travel is unsustainable due to congestion and air pollution. The social, health, environmental and public realm benefits of making our cities attractive for cycling and walking are now complemented by a better understanding of how active travel will support economic regeneration as well as more liveable communities.</p>
<p>&#13;</p>
<p>The cycling community has the opportunity to shape this future and a new governmental body with which to lobby and negotiate. We are on the agenda even if precious little money has yet been committed. How can we take advantage of this and create a better future for our children and grand children?</p>
<p>&#13;</p>
<h2>Manifesto</h2>
<p>&#13;</p>
<p>In 2013 a few of us via emails and discussions at the late lamented Bike Lounge in Kings Heath Birmingham agreed a Manifesto of what we would like to see to ensure that the potential of cycling to improve our lives across the West Midlands Region. These are now suggested as the key elements :-</p>
<p>&#13;</p>
<h3>Active Travel</h3>
<p>&#13;</p>
<p>Active travel and cycling have well understood physical and mental health benefits for the population and for employers. They also ease congestion, improve social cohesion and community life. We are only now beginning to realize the full horror of air pollution from diesel engines and the bicycle is the most effective green vehicle around. Many countries throughout the world are rebuilding their urban areas around active travel, cycling and walking, and efficient comfortable and green public transport. Car use must not be allowed to grow to further choke our cities (in both senses) but can begin to be much more controlled through road charging or filtered permeability.</p>
<p>&#13;</p>
<h3>A Regional Strategic Network of Safe Cycle Infrastructure</h3>
<p>&#13;</p>
<p>The prime aim is a safe strategic network of high quality cycle routes to be built to Dutch or Danish standards across the Region. We want consistent standards of design criteria, safety, inclusivity and signage across the "borders" between different authorities. Cycling is about transport and even short journeys can take cycling individuals, groups and families out of ward, district or local authority areas. If people are to take up the option of cycling then they need to feel safe in a well understood cycling environment which joins up desirable destinations. BWM Network includes people with expertise in cycle infrastructure and we will begin to map out and proposed desirable routes rather than just be responding to sub-optimal proposals as so often in the past.</p>
<p>&#13;</p>
<p>Improved, safe, predicable and high standard cycle access and parking at journey generators like hospital campuses, universities, office complexes, commercial, retail and industrial parks will also relieve the pressure on roads and public transport. As the infrastructure improves the value of easy access shared bike schemes becomes apparent attracting casual cycle users and visitors.</p>
<p>&#13;</p>
<h3>The Sustainable Economic Benefits of Cycling</h3>
<p>&#13;</p>
<p>The economic benefits of cycling are increasingly understood. Employees who cycle to work are healthier and more punctual. Integrating exercise into daily trips is by far the most effective way of improving health and well being and preventing ill health in the working population. The savings to the NHS if far more of the population took regular exercise by cycling are substantial quite apart from the fundamental benefit of people living longer healthier lives.</p>
<p>&#13;</p>
<p>The cycling industry itself including retail, some manufacturing, maintenance and repairs and recycling is an important economic sector with growth potential. Many small shops and social enterprises have grown up in local communities doing cycle maintenance, recycling unused bikes, led rides and creating employment, volunteering, and training opportunities. Big and medium sized cycle retailers are expanding on High Streets while there are at least three major distribution centres in the Region. The big prize is the reshoring of manufacture, initially of high end bikes, holding out the promise of training and apprenticeships in design, engineering, marketing and business skills.</p>
<p>&#13;</p>
<h3>Tourism and Well Being</h3>
<p>&#13;</p>
<p>Birmingham and the surrounding cities and counties also have great potential as centres of cycle tourism. Our colleague Roy Watson has carefully mapped, photographed and documented the 150 miles of Greenways accessible from Birmingham City Centre and publishes an excellent interpretative map. Over 34 million visitors come to the Region every year. If a small percentage were to stay over an extra night and hire a bicycle to explore (something that visitors expect to be able to do in much of northern Europe), it would be a significant boost to the economy. Green routes or local train services give more ambitious touring cyclists access to the wonderful lanes of the Borders, Staffordshire, Worcestershire, Warwickshire or the Cotswolds.</p>
<p>&#13;</p>
<p>Working with the Canal and River Trust to improve canal towpaths and with parks departments on active parks and improving local Greenways and links between them has been one of the most successful elements in the Birmingham Cycle Revolution. This model can be extended across the whole West Midlands with its rich network of canals and open spaces.</p>
<p>&#13;</p>
<h3>Integration with Public Transport</h3>
<p>&#13;</p>
<p>Birmingham Connected and Connected for Growth both want to prioritise fast, comfortable, clean, reliable public transport with better rail services, trams, Sprint buses etc. The interface between cycling and walking and public transport is increasingly understood. We want to see better and safer cycle parking at railway and bus stations, safe cycling access to stations (Plebgates!) so that cyclists can arrive without using dangerous heavily traffic roads and junctions and better organized and accessible carriage of full sized cycles on trains. This is important because many cyclists cannot just leave their cycle at a local station and walk to an office, they may need their bike at the end of the rail trip to access different sites and workplaces.</p>
<p>&#13;</p>
<p>These elements will be an important part of BWM Network’s response to the current West Midlands Rail Franchise consultation.</p>
<p>&#13;</p>
<h3>Equalities, inclusivity, challenging transport poverty and a cool cycling culture</h3>
<p>&#13;</p>
<p>The UK is a profoundly unequal society but the Equality Act 2010 requires all public bodies to promote equal access to facilities and to consider the impact of policies on persons with a variety of protected characteristics. Economic inequality is not included in the Act but is a critical element in social cohesion, health and life expectancy as well as in economic development.</p>
<p>&#13;</p>
<p>For many people with disabilities a bicycle or tricycle, or hand cycle, perhaps with adaptations or electrical support can become <a href="http://pushbikes.org.uk/blog/enabling-disabled-people">an invaluable mobility aid</a> and one that has additional fitness and range benefits compared to the widely used mobility scooters. Some adults cannot have a driving licence even if they could afford a car because of medical conditions that are no impediment to cycling.</p>
<p>&#13;</p>
<p>Cycling and walking are inherently democratic modes of transport and in safe circumstances enable citizens to travel, explore and seek work and other opportunities at minimal cost. This is especially so compared to the costs of running a car, using minicabs or public transport.</p>
<p>&#13;</p>
<p>In a large city transport poverty is a significant restriction for those living for example in outlying estates. Many households and individuals have no access to a car and public transport is expensive. Schemes like Big Birmingham Bikes bring the employment, health and social benefits of cycling to a wider population including those whose families and cultures have not previously adopted bikes in the UK or those for whom the initial cost of a serviceable bike might seem prohibitive. In other Regions easy access bike share schemes have also spread the benefits of cycling to new groups and generations.</p>
<p>&#13;</p>
<p>Another aspect of inclusive cycling that is too often neglected is age. Not only can older people take up or maintain cycling fitness into their later years but the bicycle is a great liberator for young people from teenagers to "generation rent". In many European and American cities the bike has become a preferred mode of travel for a younger people and a "cool" cycling culture has grown up around this with cafes, fashion trends and entrepreneurial innovative hubs like Hackney’s silicon roundabout.</p>
<p>&#13;</p>
<h3>Safety and Road Justice</h3>
<p>&#13;</p>
<p>We know that perceptions of safety are the biggest factors discouraging people who would like to cycle or to cycle more regularly on their daily journeys in cities, towns and the countryside. BWM Network will support local and national initiatives that contribute to a safer cycling environment. The most successful approach is to create safe space for cycling on direct routes which are separated from heavy fast motor traffic and which don’t impede pedestrians’ enjoyment of footpaths and pavements. Speed reduction like the successful 20 is Plenty campaign also help. Vision Zero is an approach to Road Safety which sets out measures to ensure that no one is killed or seriously injured on our roads. This is a change in perspective which is fully in line with modern Health and Safety practice in factories and on building sites. There is a specific issue with regard to buses and HGVs and while training and enforcement are important it is also possible as with HS2 construction vehicles to campaign for higher design standards to protect cyclists and pedestrians.</p>
<p>&#13;</p>
<p>The reduction in traffic policing is a key issue to be raised with the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner when strategic priorities are determined to ensure that existing laws are enforced. This also needs to be backed up by the courts when prosecution and sentencing guidelines are drawn up and implemented. While some of these issues of law are of course national, local campaigning about local experiences can also be very effective in winning public support for a safer more law abiding environment on the roads.</p>
<p>&#13;</p>
<h2>Current activities</h2>
<p>&#13;</p>
<p>BWM Network already has a mailing list and a Twitter account. We have consulted on the Centro Cycling Charter and been included in meetings about its implementation. We are working towards a coherent and shared response to the current West Midlands Rail Franchise. We have consistently taken an interest in the new Integrated Transport Authority and the West Midlands Combined Authority.</p>
<p>&#13;</p>
<p>Next steps include setting up a small steering group and then holding a launch event probably in June at a central location. Next may come a website/ message board and an action plan. However, it is not the intention to set up a complex organization requiring a superstructure of committees when many of us are fully committed to working with existing local groups and/or national organisations. It is not the intention to supplant local groups merely to add value where it will be welcomed.</p>
<p>&#13;</p>
<p>I would welcome colleagues views here but my preference is to keep it light and electronic.</p>
<p>&#13;</p>
<h2>Successes</h2>
<p>&#13;</p>
<p>Since the BWM Network was established in 2013 we can count a number of successes. These are not necessarily of our making but steps in the right direction!</p>
<p>&#13;</p>
<ul>
<li>Birmingham's Cycling Revolution bids have been remarkably successful in bringing some much needed funding for cycling improvements in the City.</li>
<p>&#13;</p>
<li>The Birmingham Greenways map covering 150 miles of traffic free walking and cycling paths around Birmingham, the Black Country and Solihull has been published and well publicized by one remarkable individual Roy Watson.</li>
<p>&#13;</p>
<li>Birmingham Connected the City’s mobility and transport action plan gives a full chapter to the importance of cycling and walking as does the related Connected for Growth document from the Integrated Transport Authority.</li>
<p>&#13;</p>
<li>A new cycle manufacturer is about to be launched and CyTech skills are beginning to be taught in schools in Sutton Coldfield. Several social enterprises and recycling centres are thriving across the Region.</li>
<p>&#13;</p>
<li>Wolverhampton has begun a consultation on Active Travel.</li>
<p>&#13;
</p></ul>
<h2>Archive from Birmingham Cyclist</h2>
<p>&#13;</p>
<table style="width: 100%;" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="vertical-align:top"><a href="https://www.birminghamcyclist.com/forum/topics/what-about-us-coventry-wolverhampton-etc" target="_blank"><em>From James Avery Nov 11th 2012</em></a></td>
<p>&#13;</p>
<td style="vertical-align:top">&#13;
<p>So my question is -</p>
<p>&#13;</p>
<ol>
<li>How can we all pool resources across the West Midlands? Look at the resources London Cycling Campaign have - both in terms of funding through members and additional cash, and also the simple fact most boroughs seem to meet monthly.</li>
<p>&#13;</p>
<li>Should there be a pan-WM cycling campaign, and if so, will Centro support it with some cash (afaik, TfL give LCC money)?</li>
<p>&#13;</p>
<li>If yes to above, what are the most important issues of cross-boundary co-operation? I'd suggest trains, stations, canals, and the airport / NEC complex on top of the obvious longer distance routes.</li>
<p>&#13;</p>
<li>Are there other people from Cov, or just not from Brum reading this? Is there a virtual 'critical mass' for separate forums for us here, or elsewhere? I suggest that whatever co-ordination is done, running it through here is a good place to start, as whether we like it or not, Brum is always going to be the lead player on these matters. And if you disagree with me on any of this, tough - you can't send me to Coventry as I'm already stuck here behind the impenterable barrier of the A452 / A45 ;)</li>
<p>&#13;
</p></ol>
</td>
<p>&#13;<br />
</p></tr>
<tr>
<td style="vertical-align:top"><a href="https://www.birminghamcyclist.com/xn/detail/3004025:Comment:83671" target="_blank"><em>Reply by Dave Cox on Nov 12th 2012 at 9:28</em></a></td>
<p>&#13;</p>
<td style="vertical-align:top">James this is a really good idea. Birmingham Cyclist has been a brilliant way of celebrating and developing a cycling culture in Birmngham but we need to be working on a wider area as well. Centro is now our pale apology for Regional Government and we should be talking with them across the area. Did I meet you at the Love London Go Dutch conference?? Cyclenation bring together campaigns like Push Bikes from across the country and CTC Right to Ride reps do the same. But I agree that a focussed West Midlands drive could be useful. Are you aware of current Scrutiny Hearing on Cycling by Birmingham City Council links are on this website. Could be a very useful catalyst for progress in Birmingham and wider area.</td>
<p>&#13;<br />
</p></tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<p>&#13;</p>
</div></div></div><section class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix view-mode-rss"><h2 class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</h2><ul class="field-items"><li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/campaigning-0" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">campaigning</a></li><li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/bwmn" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">bwmn</a></li></ul></section>Sun, 28 Feb 2016 15:32:25 +0000David380 at http://pushbikes.org.ukhttp://pushbikes.org.uk/blog/bike-west-midlands-network#commentsBikes, trikes and no automobiles: pedalling prodigies Howard and Esther Boydhttp://pushbikes.org.uk/blog/bikes-trikes-and-no-automobiles-pedalling-prodigies-howard-and-esther-boyd
<div class="field field-name-field-content-image field-type-image field-label-hidden view-mode-rss"><div class="field-items"><figure class="clearfix field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" class="image-style-medium-large" src="http://pushbikes.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium_large/public/Howard%20Boyd%20award.jpg?itok=t5dDxyvX" width="360" height="194" alt="Howard Boyd receiving an award" title="Howard Boyd receiving an award" /></figure></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden view-mode-rss"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>If you cycle in and around Birmingham regularly, chances are that Howard and Esther have had some influence on your bicycling life. From Howard’s work with CTC, the cycling safety team at RoSPA and consulting engineering firm Allott &amp; Lomax (now owned by Jacobs Engineering), to Esther’s campaigning and their work with Push Bikes, they have been involved, either directly or indirectly, with the way the cycling landscape has evolved in Birmingham.</p>
<p>Both Esther and Howard have cycled for most of their lives: as children going to school and later on to work, self-powered, wheeled transport has been a way of life for them and their children: “We are a cycling family,” Esther told me. All their children, David, Rachel and Stephen, cycle as their main form of transport. “Rachel has never learnt to drive. David did learn to drive a few years ago because he’s got children. Stephen, who lives in Sao Paolo, passed his Brazilian driving test but hasn’t driven a car since. He thought he ought to learn to drive, so he did…and that was enough.”</p>
<p>When the family met for a meal in London recently they realised halfway through that all three of the siblings had turned up on bikes. Their parents’ enthusiasm for sustainable transport has certainly had an effect on them. But things are very different compared to Esther and Howard’s childhoods spent cycling. As Esther recalled, “In the 1950s were huge numbers of people cycling to and from work; that was the norm and I cycled to school. A very large number of us cycled to school every day, we had to take our cycle proficiency test first…it was about a mile and a half and on a main road and everybody did it.”</p>
<p>Howard had a similar experience. “It was much the same for me, I cycled to school pretty well eighty per cent of the time, a five mile journey along a main road most of the way.”</p>
<p>Nowadays there are few parents who would be happy to wave their child off to cycle five miles to school down a main road; there are even some schools that specifically ban pupils from cycling to school, refusing to provide secure bicycle parking, as it’s seen as a dangerous way to get about, especially for children. But Esther and Howard don’t agree with this assessment.</p>
<p>“It can be dangerous, if you’re stupid.” Esther said. “You have to cycle sensibly.” There are other benefits to biking it, of course. Esther tells me that both her and her daughter have found that cycling often feels much safer for them as women. “It is so much better cycling than hanging around at a bus stop.”</p>
<p>The recent resurgence in cycling has been heartening for the couple who have fought for better infrastructure to make cycling accessible and safer for everyone. Howard has worked in the cycling world for most of his professional career, starting off at RoSPA (the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) working in the cycle safety department, which was responsible for the Cycle Proficiency tests, among other initiatives. When the Society had some funding issues in 1989, Howard resumed computing for two years, but wasn’t happy. He decided to go back to university to take a Masters in Traffic Engineering, training as a Traffic Engineer with an interest in sustainable transport and designing for walking and cycling.</p>
<p>After his studies Howard found a local job at the consulting engineers Allott &amp; Lomax, hearing about the job opening from Esther. Though he’d been in touch with all the firms he thought might be looking for someone, he hadn’t tried Allott &amp; Lomax as they already had a man doing great work in the cycling department – David Davies. As luck would have it, however, Esther was at a meeting with David and found out he was leaving the firm. “So I quickly pedalled home and told Howard, Dave’s leaving, so you ought to try for a job there. And he did and he got the job!”</p>
<p>Howard’s cycling career also included an important study that looked at the dangers of riding a bike compared with the benefits; statistics that are still often included in debates about cycling. They found that the health benefits of cycling far outweighed any dangers from mingling with fast moving traffic.&nbsp; The health benefits outstrip by twenty to one any danger cyclists face from cars and other vehicles; basically you’re twenty times more likely to extend your life, than reduce it, if you take up cycling as a form of transport.</p>
<p>Nevertheless, Esther has dealt with a significant accident. When a car ran a red light in Highgate and hit her, she had to spend seven months off work recovering. It was an accident that Esther couldn’t avoid, despite the bicycle lane and signage in the area. “Where I was hit, there is a cycle lane on the pavement when you’re approaching, so the cyclists are hidden from the cars. They don’t notice cyclists because they’re not on the road with them.” She said. “I was hit by a Ford Fiesta against a transit van and the van driver, when he got out, he knew that he’d been hit by a car but he didn’t realise that I was even there.”</p>
<p>It was her family that helped her get back on her bike once she had recovered. “As soon as I was physically able to cycle again, our oldest cycled the route with me to work at the weekend. There was so much support in the family about getting back on my bike, so I did,” she said.</p>
<p>The incident confirmed her feelings about segregating bikes and cars, however. “The thing is about segregated routes,” she explained, “it’s lovely when you’re on the segregated route, which is along the more safe bit, but then when you come to cross roads, you can’t be segregated any more, so you’re thrown in at the dangerous bit. I hate bikes on pavements, even the ones that are shared. I’d much rather on the whole be on the road.”</p>
<p>The couple do think cycling has improved significantly in Birmingham over the last few years. “When I used to cycle to Aston University,” Esther told me, “I would come home and say ‘I met a cyclist today!’ and it was really exciting if I actually passed a cyclist and now they’re everywhere. It really was that you just didn’t meet other cyclists. I was the only person in the School of Architecture who rode a bike.”</p>
<p>Despite all the work and campaigning, the cycle revolution across the country is still a relatively new thing and it has only just started to be taken seriously by politicians. Esther recalled a Lunar Society meeting where Clare Short gave a talk about transport: “I asked a question about bicycles and she ridiculed it…there was no point in considering bikes in a transport debate, and that’s only about fifteen years ago. Nobody would dare say that now. It made me very cross then, but it was the received opinion. Only cranks rode a bike.”</p>
<p>Things have certainly got better, but it’s been slow going. The plans to improve the cycle infrastructure in Birmingham are underway, but only just, and so far the couple aren’t convinced they’ve made much difference. “We haven’t been incredibly impressed by the designs,” Esther said, “there are so many compromises because people objected to car parking spaces getting lost. The road improvement programme hasn’t yet started; it should have been finished by now.” Ultimately it will be the way people use the new infrastructure that determines the success of the scheme; more people on bikes will be the best way to increase funding and safety for all cyclists. And despite their reservations, Esther and Howard are interested to see how effective the new 20 mph speed limit in certain areas will be, as long as, of course, “they’re policed properly,” Esther said; they hope it will make a difference and encourage people to cycle more.</p>
<p>Cycling is still a major part of their life. They don’t have a car at all anymore; they swapped their old Triumph Herald for a donation to charity and the next week their other car was written off when someone smashed into it outside their house. “We thought, well let’s see how we go without a car,” Esther recalled, “could we manage without a car, and that was over ten years ago.” A bike, in combination with a bus pass, is their key to the city.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, Howard was diagnosed with Lewy Body Disease in 2011 and finds it difficult to ride a bicycle. A cycling holiday in the Hebrides, Esther told me, was the final straw when it came to Howard giving up two wheels: “A car drove past Howard quite closely and he wobbled and fell and that affected Howard’s confidence very greatly in traffic.”</p>
<p>But rather than abandoning bicycles completely, Howard decided to see if the increased stability of a tricycle would help him remain mobile, despite his disability. The decision wasn’t without precedent as he had ridden a tricycle previously, even cycling to Egypt in 1963 when he was 19 with two friends, one also atop a trike. The trip was an effort to see a piece of history before it disappeared. “The reason we got into going to Egypt,” Howard recalled, “was that the Aswan Dam was going to be built and destroy many of the temples including Abu Simbel that were built along the Nile valley. I was about to study Archaeology at university and so it was a case of, ‘if you don’t see it this year, you won’t see it again’. And I managed to talk a couple of my friends in the cycling club, and we got the idea of cycling all the way to Egypt and all the way back again – 5,500 miles.”</p>
<p>In the end, the temples and their artefacts were preserved but the trip was a testament to the efficiency of travelling with a tricycle. “The specific thing about the tricycle is it’s very good at load carrying and taking tents and taking bags and stoves,” Howard explained, and it was this benefit that led to two of the cyclists choosing trikes as their mode of transport.</p>
<p>Back in the 60s when they undertook the trip, trikes were less of a rarity than they are now. Howard joined the Redmon Cycling Club in south London at 15 and found he wasn’t the only rider on three wheels: “Quite a few people in the club had tricycles as well as bicycles. They were quite popular but they really have disappeared off the map.”</p>
<p>Travelling any significant distance with a tricycle now, however, is sadly unfeasible. “Certainly I travelled all over the place with the help of trains as well as tricycles, but that’s more or less disappeared,” Howard said trains, while they will take bikes, won’t let you take tricycles on board, making it impossible to transport one without a large car or van, something many people don’t have access to. “It’s great pity,” he said. “People with disabilities may have no other way of getting about, so it’s rather unfair.”</p>
<p>Of course, as the tireless campaigners they are, Esther and Howard are determined to challenge this inequality. Lots of people with limited mobility find riding a tricycle can be their passport to getting out and about under their own steam, rather than having to rely on anyone else, and the Boyd’s are keen to make it easier for people to do so. They hope in future to demonstrate how difficult the cycle infrastructure can be for trikes to navigate. Radar barriers on canal towpaths, for instance, are a challenge for tricycles; even with a key it can be difficult, and their effectiveness at deterring motorbikes is debatable. The couple hope to bring attention to the difficulties faced by people with disabilities when they try to utilise the infrastructure aimed at getting more people using sustainable transport</p>
<p>Along with campaigning for cycling improvements, they also champion environmental issues; Esther is a key member of Sustainable Moseley (SusMo), an organisation that worked towards making Moseley a more environmentally friendly place to live. Through winning a British Gas Green Streets awards, SusMo successfully got solar panels installed on four public buildings in the area, allowing them to not only lower their carbon emissions but also their running costs. The pair are also active Quakers and try not to live a life fuelled by consumerism. When I asked whether their cycling was part of this, Esther nodded: “It’s a sort of way of life isn’t it?”</p>
<p>The sentiment sums up their commitment to bikes, trikes and living in a way that is environmentally friendly as possible and Esther and Howard Boyd’s passion is a real inspiration. Here’s hoping the pedals keep turning for as long as possible.</p>
</div></div></div><section class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix view-mode-rss"><h2 class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</h2><ul class="field-items"><li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/disability" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">disability</a></li><li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/equality" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">equality</a></li><li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/campaigning-0" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">campaigning</a></li></ul></section><div class="field field-name-field-media field-type-file field-label-hidden view-mode-rss"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><div id="file-574" class="file file-image file-image-jpeg">
<h2 class="element-invisible"><a href="/file/img2419jpg">IMG_2419.JPG</a></h2>
<div class="content">
<img typeof="foaf:Image" class="image-style-none" src="http://pushbikes.org.uk/sites/default/files/IMG_2419.JPG" width="2707" height="2000" alt="Howard Boyd on his tricycle" title="Howard Boyd on his tricycle" /><div class="field field-name-media-description field-type-text-long field-label-hidden view-mode-media_large"><div class="field-items"><figure class="clearfix field-item even">Howard Boyd on his tricycle, avoiding potholes.</figure></div></div> </div>
</div>
</div></div></div>Sun, 08 Nov 2015 20:08:51 +0000Sally336 at http://pushbikes.org.ukhttp://pushbikes.org.uk/blog/bikes-trikes-and-no-automobiles-pedalling-prodigies-howard-and-esther-boyd#commentsReporting Infrastructure Issues - Using Cyclescapehttp://pushbikes.org.uk/article/reporting-infrastructure-issues-using-cyclescape
<div class="field field-name-field-content-image field-type-image field-label-hidden view-mode-rss"><div class="field-items"><figure class="clearfix field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" class="image-style-medium-large" src="http://pushbikes.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium_large/public/Morvillestreetcyclelink.jpg?itok=dPxbwQ4G" width="360" height="222" title="Map of a cycle link on Morville Street that could be created" /></figure></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden view-mode-rss"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Cyclescape is an online campaigning toolkit that is being developed to help cycle campaigners to work more effectively by creating an accessible record of infrastructure issues reported by campaigners. It also pulls in planning application data for campaigners to see in context, and allows the sharing of examples of best-practice from around the UK to assist the discussion of solutions to local problems. Cyclescape has <a href="http://blog.cyclescape.org" target="_blank">a blog</a> which gives more information about the development and progress of Cyclescape, as well as providing <a href="http://blog.cyclescape.org/guide/" target="_blank">a useful guide for new users</a>. You can set areas of interest on Cyclescape so that you are notified of any new activity in your locality, enabling you to keep up-to-date more easily.</p>
<p>&#13;</p>
<p>At the time of writing this article (Feb. 2015) Push Bikes has just set up a Cyclescape group to help us keep track of infrastructure issues around Birmingham and Solihull, so that we can report these to Birmingham City Council and track the progress of improvements as they are made. Our group can be found here: <a href="https://birmingham.cyclescape.org/" target="_blank">https://birmingham.cyclescape.org/</a>. This group is open for anyone to join - you do not have to be a paid-up Push Bikes member to do so - and will be regularly monitored. Please do have join up and start logging issues in your area.</p>
<p>&#13;</p>
<p>Something that Push Bikes will be exploring in the coming months is how to use Cyclescape to engage with councillors about cycling issues in their local areas. For councillors who do not cycle, the barriers to cycle use are not normally obvious, and we are hoping that by seeing these barriers on Cyclescape, councillors will gain a better appreciation of the many small but vital measures that can be taken to improve conditions for cycling. So, please do contribute issues and comments on Cyclescape and <a href="https://www.writetothem.com" target="_blank">contact your councillors</a> with the appropriate links so that they can see those issues too.</p>
<p>&#13;</p>
</div></div></div><section class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix view-mode-rss"><h2 class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</h2><ul class="field-items"><li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/campaigning-0" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">campaigning</a></li><li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/mapping" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">mapping</a></li></ul></section>Sun, 08 Feb 2015 22:03:31 +0000Chris109 at http://pushbikes.org.ukhttp://pushbikes.org.uk/article/reporting-infrastructure-issues-using-cyclescape#commentsKings Heath High Streethttp://pushbikes.org.uk/blog/kings-heath-high-street
<div class="field field-name-field-content-image field-type-image field-label-hidden view-mode-rss"><div class="field-items"><figure class="clearfix field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" class="image-style-medium-large" src="http://pushbikes.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium_large/public/127706_121100d6.jpg?itok=ArLu09Fa" width="360" height="270" alt="Kings Heath High Street" title="Kings Heath High Street" /></figure></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden view-mode-rss"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Sustrans were given the brief of exploring improvement of the public realm on Kings Heath high street. This is a proposal for how cycle lanes might be fitted in, drawn up by Push Bikes members in December 2014.</p>
<p>&#13;</p>
<p>The objective of the Push Bikes proposal is to to make it a more pleasant environment for shopping and socialising. Since people still need to make door-to-door journeys and there is a strong demand for cycling in Kings Heath, this should be accomplished by creating cycle lanes that will connect with Highbury Park and the <a href="http://www.pushbikes.org.uk/article/birmingham-cycle-revolution" target="_blank">Birmingham Cycle Revolution</a> route along the Alcester Road. Experience from abroad shows that it is relatively easy to achieve urban cycling rates of around 20% if a close-meshed network of usable cycling infrastructure is built (the Dutch have achieved far more). Of course this does take time, but if excuses are found <em>not</em> to build infrastructure at every opportunity, that will never be achieved. As substantial a remodelling of Kings Heath high street as that proposed by Sustrans is such an opportunity.</p>
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<figure style="width: 40%; height: 40%; margin: 5px; float: right;"><img alt="German shops value cyclists" src="http://www.pushbikes.org.uk/sites/default/files/Lornsen-Apotheke_Kiel_Servi.jpg" /><figcaption><small>The text on this sign outside a German pharmacy says <i>Biker service here in the pharmacy: repair kit, pump, and rucksacks</i>.</small></figcaption></figure>
</p><p>Towns and cities that replace private car traffic with non-motorised traffic typically see a rise in trade. New Street saw a rise in trade of 25% when it was converted from a busy through-route to a pedestrian zone. North American cities <a href="http://www.torontocycling.org/uploads/1/3/1/3/13138411/cycling_economies_eglinton_final.pdf" target="_blank">report</a> a rise in trade when cycle lanes are built. New York, for example, saw <a href="https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/americabikes/pages/211/attachments/original/1351785187/2012-10-measuring-the-street.pdf" target="_blank">a 49% increase in trade</a> in the East Village when protected cycle lanes were put in place. Despite that, businesses consistently underestimate how many customers arrive by bike, and overestimate how many arrive by car. Shops in the cycling countries of continental Europe on the other hand are well aware of the benefit of cycle traffic to their business, and take care to maintain it and ensure cyclists have somewhere outside their shops to park their bikes. The rise in trade comes about because it is easy for a cyclist to stop outside a shop and make purchase, whereas a car driver will have to search for a free parking bay, which may be so far down the street that they just give up and drive on. Cars require a lot of space for parking, so it is inevitable that there could only ever be a small number of parking bays on the high street.</p>
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<p>In addition to reducing motorised traffic, cycle lanes create a safe buffer from motorised traffic for pedestrians. They also reduce conflict on the pavement, because there will be no need for either cyclists or electric scooter users to use the pavement.</p>
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<p>Whilst imposing a 20mph speed limit on the High Street is wise (the arguments for this now being well known), in heavy traffic (which is typically slow-moving anyway) it does not make cycling any more pleasant or acceptable to the majority of the population. It is important to understand that survey after survey has concluded that most people will not under any circumstances consider using a bike if it requires cycling in fast or heavy traffic. Do nothing to address that, and the congestion in Kings Heath will remain for the foreseeable future, because people will only consider the car a safe form of personal transport. That congestion makes Kings Heath High Street an awful environment for shopping and socialising.</p>
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<p>After consulting with Adrian Lord, consultant to the <a href="https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/bcr" target="_blank">Birmingham Cycle Revolution</a>, the carriageway has been made 7.2m wide except in a few locations which will be referred to in the notes for each section of the plan. The cycle lanes have been made just over 1.8m (to allow for wands), reduced to 1.69m where necessary. The narrower sections are coloured on the plans orange instead of red. These widths may need further refinement. As far as possible pavement widths have not been reduced, though some islands at the end of the current parking bays will be removed. It is recognised that pedestrians would like the pavements to be wider, but part of the reason for that will be because no-one likes to be immediately adjacent to motorised traffic. However, there is a big problem with clutter (such as A-boards) on the existing pavement space, which needs to be removed. Sustrans have proposed planting trees along the length of the high street, which would certainly improve the high street environment. In a few places there are some mature trees, planted originally as street furniture. These have grown far too large for the high street, and given their age it would be wise to plant new trees to provide more space for pedestrians, to provide a consistent appearance with the new trees, and to avoid damage to the remodelled street if the old trees are declared unsafe some time in the next few years. However, the trees do not need to be removed to provide space for the cycleways proposed by Push Bikes.</p>
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<p>Cycle parking would be mainly on side streets, but on wider sections of pavements it could added as a permeable fence of Sheffield stands along one edge of the footway. It is envisaged that at peak times for pedestrian traffic (typically Saturdays) the cycle lanes may be encroached by pedestrians, but the use of light segregation means cyclists can slow down or pause, or they can switch to the motorised traffic lane if they have the confidence to do so. In practice fast cyclists tend to have the confidence and ability to ride in motorised traffic, and would be happy with this compromise. Whilst this arrangement is not ideal, it should be seen as a transition to a radical redesign of the high street <a href="https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?ll=52.220961,5.179539&amp;amp;spn=0.002724,0.005144&amp;amp;t=h&amp;amp;z=18&amp;amp;layer=c&amp;amp;cbll=52.220901,5.179643&amp;amp;panoid=a9oUr80es2XR3Rt2qjK7KA&amp;amp;cbp=12,294.19,,0,3.75" target="_blank">as can be seen in some Dutch towns</a>. A radical treatment such as this would also allow the re-introduction of some features removed to make space for the interim arrangement.</p>
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<p>Junctions should be given the Dutch treatment. This means radii reduced to the minimum, carriageway realignment to make the side road join the major road at as close to 90° as possible, cycle lanes and footways carried across junctions clearly and boldly (using red paving), and tables used to additionally slow vehicles. Use of side roads will be restricted by various means to prevent rat-running, making junctions less hazardous and the roads quieter for residents. Cyclists and pedestrians will not be affected by these restrictions, so the reduced traffic loading will make these roads intrinsically suitable for light transport. This technique is commonly used in the Netherlands for these reasons. Below is one possibility:</p>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pushbikes.org.uk/sites/default/files/KingsHeathMiniHolland.jpg"><img alt="Possible arrangement of filtered permeability around Kings Heath" src="http://www.pushbikes.org.uk/sites/default/files/KingsHeathMiniHolland.jpg" /></a></p>
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<p>The red lines indicate main (bidirectional) through-routes. Where a road has no colour, it remains as it is now. The arrows indicate roads that are one-way for motorised vehicles but two-way for cyclists. The different colours indicate the separated sub-nets. The purple lines indicate where a road has been blocked with a barrier that is permeable to cyclists and pedestrians but not motor vehicles (typically using bollards, as they are quick and cheap, but additional features such as planters and emergency access gates are also a possibility). Some of these barriers run diagonally across a cross-roads.</p>
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<p>On-street car parking has been removed from the high street. It represents a tiny proportion of the car parking available in Kings Heath, and increases congestion as drivers pull in and out of spaces. Some drivers attempt to reduce the time spent manoeuvring by bumping up the kerb on to the pavement, which is a serious safety issue.</p>
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<p><img alt="zebra crossing" src="http://www.pushbikes.org.uk/sites/default/files/DutchZebraCrossing.jpg" style="width: 40%; height: 40%; margin: 5px; float: right;" />Pedestrian crossings would be more numerous and would be mainly zebra crossings. Puffin crossings, with their long delays, are so infuriating for pedestrians that pedestrians will often cross on red, leading to occasional injury, but controlled crossings are needed in places for people who as a result of a disability cannot otherwise cross the road. Informal crossings have been found to be largely useless; pedestrians in Haren, in the Netherlands, (also a town centre on a radial route) complained that they were unable to cross the road “informally” and zebra crossings had to be retrofitted.</p>
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<p>Technically the best option for bus stops is to have the bus shelter on an island. This is certainly possible in at least one location, but in other locations it would probably result in an excessively narrow pavement. There are two less desirable options. One is to have the bus pull into the cycle lane, but most people dislike sharing space with something as large and heavy as a bus. Also bus drivers are notorious for half overtaking cyclists and pulling into a bus stop, an offensive and highly dangerous practice. The arrangement does have the advantage that confident cyclists can go around the bus on the offside. <img alt="A bus stop design used in the Netherlands before the advent of island bus stops" src="http://www.pushbikes.org.uk/sites/default/files/BusStop.jpg" style="width: 40%; height: 40%; margin: 5px; float: right;" />The alternative (shown right) is for buses to stop in the main running lane, not the cycle lane. Pedestrians would access the bus via a raised table, which would both allow wheelchair access and act as a speed table for cyclists. Whilst cyclists would probably have to wait for buses to load and unload rather than passing on the offside (though in practice passengers may well let a solitary cyclist pass), once the doors have shut the lane would become clear again. Of course it is often the case that the doors shut but the traffic ahead of the bus hasn't moved anywhere, so the cycle lane would allow cyclists to proceed, whereas at the moment they just get stuck behind a bus. This arrangement has the additional advantage that since shelters would no longer be adjacent to the bus (because of the interposed cycle lane), they could be moved right to the edge of the pavement, recovering about 0.5m of footway for pedestrians. It would be wise to consult with bus operators to see if the bus stops are in the best locations, both in terms of service requirements, and in terms of available space.</p>
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<p>All this is based on a carriageway width of 7.2m, which in turn is based on the width needed for one bus to pass another bus at a bus stop. There is a possibility that this could be reduced, in which case there would be more space for the footway, or larger islands at bus stops. It is however beneficial to have space in the centre of the road to aid informal crossing by pedestrians. One possibility is to vary the width allocation along the high street, biasing it first to one side and then to the other. This will create a meander, which will encourage people to drive more slowly. Something that non-locals tend not to appreciate is that at off-peak times speeding on the high street is a problem. Fast-moving trucks are particularly frightening. It is unlikely that visual treatments and / or the 20mph speed limit would address this sufficiently, but motorists are slowed by chicanes. This is why chicanes are a prominent feature of continental roads.</p>
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<h2>Scale Plans</h2>
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<p>The plans below are to scale and based on technical drawings supplied by Birmingham City Council. The carriageway area is shown in blue, and is 7.2m (bidirectional). The unidirectional cycleways vary between just under 1.7m (orange) and 1.8m (red).</p>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pushbikes.org.uk/sites/default/files/KH0.1.jpg"><img alt="Push Bikes proposal for Kings Heath (section 1)" src="http://www.pushbikes.org.uk/sites/default/files/KH0.1.jpg" /></a></p>
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<p>The blue lines at the junction with Queensbridge Road show traffic movements and are sized according to the running lanes on the high street. This is purely for graphical completeness, and should not be regarded as meaning that the junction area is replaced with narrow, discrete lanes.</p>
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<p><img alt="Push Bikes proposal for Kings Heath (section 2)" src="http://www.pushbikes.org.uk/sites/default/files/KH1.1.jpg" /><br />&#13;<br />
There is scope here for providing a proper island bus stop southbound, as there is an enormous amount of space here, much of it completely unused.</p>
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<p>The right-turn pocket into Grange Road has been removed. If this creates traffic flow problems, the right turn should be prohibited.</p>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pushbikes.org.uk/sites/default/files/KH2.1.jpg"><img alt="Push Bikes proposal for Kings Heath (section 3)" src="http://www.pushbikes.org.uk/sites/default/files/KH2.1.jpg" /></a></p>
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<p>An advisory lane has been provided where (Asda) trucks need to turn into Poplar Road. Car drivers may be tempted to use this (though note the right turn pocket has been removed), but in general a car driver will follow the centre line. Given the amount of trade Asda does in Kings Heath (which experience shows cycle lanes will only increase), it is extremely unlikely they would leave the area if a reduced carriageway width forced them to use smaller trucks. Smaller trucks would also reduce the problems large articulated trucks cause in Poplar Road.</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.pushbikes.org.uk/sites/default/files/KH2.1.jpg"><img alt="Push Bikes proposal for Kings Heath (section 4)" src="http://www.pushbikes.org.uk/sites/default/files/KH3.1.jpg" /></a></p>
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<p>The three disabled parking bays (which are routinely abused) have been removed. There are several disabled parking bays in Kingsfield Road. Note that cycle lanes make it easier to use electric scooters, which for many disabled people not only provide door-to-door transport, but transport within shops. Additionally, the first few parking places in side streets could be made disabled parking only. Further parking could be created by prohibiting the right turn into Vicarage Road (drivers would use Howard Road), freeing up carriageway space. Alternatively the freed-up space could be used to widen the pavement.</p>
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<p>The following video shows what such an arrangement would be like in practice. It shows a high street on a radial route in the Netherlands. It has been like this since the 1980s, which shows that this proposal is based on something that has been normal in the Netherlands for many decades. Push Bikes is not proposing some wild, untested idea. Note the lack of motorised traffic. That's what happens when you achieve a cycling modal share of 60%, which is what has been achieved in this town.</p>
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<p style="text-align: center;">
<iframe src="//player.vimeo.com/video/100193704" frameborder="0" height="334" width="500"></iframe></p>
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</div></div></div><section class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix view-mode-rss"><h2 class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</h2><ul class="field-items"><li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/kings-heath" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">kings heath</a></li><li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/plan" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">plan</a></li><li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/campaigning-0" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">campaigning</a></li></ul></section>Wed, 28 Jan 2015 21:48:01 +0000Robert76 at http://pushbikes.org.ukhttp://pushbikes.org.uk/blog/kings-heath-high-street#comments